Kashmiri Pink Chai Recipe
Kashmiri Pink Chai is a traditional spiced green tea from Kashmir known for its distinct pink hue and rich, aromatic flavor. This creamy tea is brewed with green tea leaves, aromatic spices like star anise, cardamom, and cinnamon, and is simmered with baking soda to develop its unique color. Finished with milk, salt, and sweetener, it is often garnished with crushed nuts for an extra touch of indulgence. Perfect for a comforting warm beverage, this recipe takes about an hour from start to finish and offers a beautifully fragrant and flavorful cup.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Kashmiri
- Diet: Halal
Ingredients
Tea Base
- 4 cups Water
- 2 tbsp Kashmiri/Himalayan green tea or other green tea
- 1/2 tsp Baking soda
- 1–2 Star anise
- 2 Cardamom pods, crushed
- 1 Cinnamon stick
- 1/4 tsp Salt
Final Ingredients
- 2 cups Whole milk
- Sugar or honey to taste
- Crushed nuts (e.g. almonds or pistachios) for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Boil the Tea: Bring 4 cups of water to a boil in a saucepan. Add 2 tablespoons of Kashmiri or Himalayan green tea leaves and boil for about 5 minutes to extract flavor.
- Add Baking Soda: Stir in 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda. This causes a chemical reaction that turns the tea water a deep red color. Continue boiling for another 2 minutes to develop this color and flavor.
- Add Spices: Add 1-2 star anise, 2 crushed cardamom pods, and 1 cinnamon stick. Boil the mixture for an additional minute to infuse the spice aromas.
- Simmer and Reduce: Lower the heat to a simmer and continue cooking the tea for 20-30 minutes until the liquid reduces to about half its original volume. This concentrates the flavors and deepens the hue.
- Season with Salt: Stir in 1/4 teaspoon of salt and mix thoroughly to balance the flavors.
- Add Milk and Bring to Boil: Pour in 2 cups of whole milk and increase heat. Stir constantly to prevent milk from burning. Bring the chai to a boil; during this process, the tea will change from dark red to a beautiful pink shade.
- Strain and Sweeten: Remove the tea from heat and strain it into cups, removing tea leaves and spices. Sweeten with sugar or honey to your taste.
- Garnish and Serve: Optionally, garnish with crushed nuts like almonds or pistachios. Serve the Kashmiri Pink Chai hot and enjoy its unique, comforting flavor.
Notes
- Using baking soda is key to achieving the distinct pink color by altering the pH of the tea.
- Simmering the tea for an extended time intensifies the flavor and color; do not rush this step.
- Whole milk is recommended for a rich, creamy texture, but you may substitute with plant-based milk if desired, though color and flavor may vary.
- Adjust sweetness to your preference with sugar or honey.
- Garnishing with nuts adds a traditional and textural element but is optional.
- Ensure to stir continuously when boiling milk to avoid curdling or burning.
Keywords: Kashmiri Pink Chai, pink tea, Kashmiri tea, spiced green tea, traditional Indian tea, pink milk tea, Himalayan tea, star anise tea
Find it online: https://cheflenacooks.com/kashmiri-pink-chai-recipe/
